Kids See Ghosts

Hey there, I suggest checking out the Daytona review before this one!

I feel really good about writing this review. I just got done giving my two cents on Daytona, and if you didn’t know, Kids See Ghosts came out a good two to three weeks after Daytona. The timing of these two releases matter, as Ye executively produced a total of five albums that summer alone. These five projects feature some of the most stunning production of Kanye’s entire career, and Kids See Ghosts exemplifies that attribute to the fullest.

Ye and Cudi teamed up on this one as they both dealt with their own mental health crisis. As the two connected at a somber and vulnerable state, the two paired up to perfectly arrive at this spiritually nourishing medium. Feel The Love kicks off the LP with an outwardly vocal self-expression. Pusha T fuels the fire with yet another braggadocious performance, while Kanye stabs violent adlibs into the mix. Cudi completes the trifecta with an unforgettable soulful melody. Such an emotional performance, and it does a killer job at setting the tone of this LP.

The rock influence begins to trickle in on track two, Fire, with featured production from none other than André 3000 and Big Boi, the Outkast duo. The rhythm is enchanting and rioting, as the two artists stretch their hands to be uplifted. Out of desperation, the two put together this prayer/hymn that seems to start the avenue to their intended path to follow.

4th Dimension has to be Ye’s most bizarre, left-field sample flips to date, utilizing a Louis Prima Christmas song from 1936. This is one of the most ‘Kanye’ verses that the author himself has ever dropped as he talks about alligators, sex, ego, while ending the verse with insanely impressive wordplay on prison sentences.

I love how mythic this album feels. Not only does the music convey this feeling, but the title and cover art do as well. I appreciate the introspective and religious elements to this album. This shows me that both artists are evolving, and becoming greater by working together. Ye’s catalog is rather diverse, and sometimes his projects disagree with each other. The thoughtfulness of Ye and Cudi’s character is unlike some of their earlier, angrier work, and I am happy to see the two create art out of a space of curiosity and maturity.

Final Thoughts… I picked up the review for this album when I had a change of heart with it. I always loved it, but more so recently, it has fallen close to my top 10 of all time list. At the time of this review, I consider this Ye and Cudi’s greatest work, and a second installment of Kids See Ghosts is a project I would love to hear, although nowadays I am not interested in their current work as artists. Perfect 10.

Griff